The Knights, via a unanimous vote, have chosen the Type 97 rifle as their weapon of choice. However, before an order can be submitted, the Ruling Council of the Order requests to know whether the Domestic Production Rights of this weapon are up for sale?

Socialdemokraterne wrote:Noders: Only the finest books and pizza. And books about pizza. Not so much their book-flavored pizzas, though.

Me=Noders God of pissing you offParkus= God Of Sex and Cool and lots of CigsMenassa= God of the JewsSpreewerke=God of the AKIndeos=God of you know what just a bloody godXarithis= God Of World Domination

"Ruthless and efficient in the bedroom as well as on the battlefield, Britannia is the living emblem of strength, persistence, and dignity and Really Fucking Good Line Art.

When I was young I used to pray for a bike, then I realized that God doesn't work that way, so I stole a bike and prayed for forgiveness."Deus vult" is Latin for "God wills it" and it was the cry of the people at the declaration of the First Crusade by Pope Urban II at the Council of Clermont in 1095.#MAGA, WWG1WGA, Q

Due to the relative death of landmine munitions on most storefront on the global market today, we will be happy to provide to the world community the famous expertise of Allanean landmine manufacturers and other personnel. We will produce for those interested a large amount of landmines in various types, as well as provide services in training personnel in their use.

Because of the fact that landmine manufacturing and shipping is a process depending on the economy of scale, we will be only dealing with large-scale contracts as well as permanent contracts specifying the supply of a certain amount of landmines every year.

OOC: I know the player behind Nachmere IRL, so I contacted him and asked if I can take over his stuff. He agreed. If there's an issue with this I can provide proof of this event to moderators.

IC:

Official Announcement from the Allanean Arms Corporation

Allanean Arms, Incorporated, had just purchased Nachmere Precision Systems from our friends in Nachmere. The main goal of the purchase was to get control of NPS designs and patents first of all, as well as the factories. However, Allanean Arms will soon be divesting itself of some facilities, closing down or selling certain unprofitable factories abroad.

Expect NPS products to become available within the few days, as our product catalog is renewed.

The AK-50BSC was developed as a cheaper alternative to the advanced and costly CAR-50B bullpup. It is heavily based on the AK-74 and retains its extreme reliability and simplicity. While not as accurate as the CAR-50B, it has decent accuracy up to 150 meters and carries the mighty punch of the .50 Beowulf cartridge.

Description:

Mechanically wise the AK-50BSC is essentially identical to the AK-74 on which it s based. The main differences are the Galil style upturned cocking handle and secondary fire-selector. These were added to allow ambidextrous ability to the rifle. Both the large AK and small Galil selectors allow for 3 modes- safe, semi-automatic and fully automatic.

Furniture on the AK-50BSC is made from mil-spec polymers. The stock is side folding and has a removable cheek piece for users using optical sights. The rifle has integral picatinny rails on the body cover, and on all sides of the grip. Standard peep-hole and blade sights are located on the body cover and barrel.

The AK-50BSC is fed from proprietary metal or polymer magazines in capacities of 12 or 20 rounds.

After the purchase of NPS Firearms by Allanean Arms, production of this firearm began at the New Thermopilae Arms Factory in Allanea. The firearm is available from Allanean Arms to both military and civilian, retail and wholesale producers. Special deals can be negotiated.

OOC: Designed by the player behind Nachmere, used here with his permission.

Last edited by Allanea on Sat Jul 19, 2014 3:01 am, edited 1 time in total.

Introduction:The AFS-6.5 is a family of bullpup firearms developed by NPS for military and law enforcement use. The concept was to create a system which allows conversion of a single weapon to several roles. This increases flexibility and eases training and logistics. To ease development the design team used the CAR-50B bullpup as the start point for the project, although many changes were needed to allow barrel modularity in the field.

The caliber selected for the system is the 6.5X39mm Grendel, chosen as a compromise between the common 5.56X45mm and 7.62X51mm. The 6.5mm Grendel offers high accuracy and good penetration up to 600 yards.

Description:Mechanically wise the AFS-6.5 is a relatively conventional gas operated long-stroke piston design, inspired by several designs. The cocking is located underneath the carrying handle, and is not physically connected to the bolt carrier. It can be easily cocked by left and right hand users. The massive piston is undetectably connected to the bolt and moves in the wide gas chamber located above the barrel. The bolt itself has two massive lugs for locking. Extracted shells are pushed into a chute and fall downwards behind the pistol grip, allowing safe shooting by left and right handed shooters.

The barrel has a carrying handle attached to it, and is detachable from the rifle. Detaching the barrel is done by pulling a lever on the carrying handle and rotating the barrel to the right. The barrel is than easily pulled away. Attaching the barrel is done similarly. First the barrel is inserted into place. Than it is rotated to the left until it is locked. Barrels exist in lengths varying from 330mm to 490mm, allowing the same weapon to be used as a compact carbine, designated marksman rifle, and even as a light machine gun.

The trigger group features an ambidextrous fire mode selection lever with safe, semi auto and three round burst modes. The magazine release lever is also located on both sides, for the sake of left handed shooters. The trigger guard, cocking handle and levers are all large enough to allow a gloved user to easily operate the weapon.

Furniture on the AFS-6.5 is made from mil-spec polymers. The rifle has integral picatinny rails on the carrying handle, as well as the sides and bottom of the grip. The carrying handle is attached to the barrel and so makes and extremely stable mount for optic sights. It also has standard “iron sights” integral to it.

The AFS-6.5 is fed from proprietary metal or polymer magazines in capacities of 15, 30, or 65 rounds.

After purchase of NPS by Allanean Arms, the firearm is now being produced in Iolead state, Free Shanghai Arms Factory. It sells up to 100,000 copies a year in Allanea alone.

The HTD180 was developed by NPS for the United States of Allanea. The request was simple- a “duelist” tank capable of destroying any armored vehicle at contact ranges while in its own remaining relatively safe. NPS has offered similar AFVs, such as the HTD165 in the past. However the race between gun and armor has become quite heated. With main battle tanks touting L55 140mm ETC guns and ridicules frontal armor, it was clear to NPS engineers that the new HTD would have to be not only well armed and armored, but protected by advanced measures and equipped with advanced sensors.

Mobility gave way to armament and protection. The HTD180 is by no means a slow vehicle, considering that tanks in combat rarely drive at speeds acceding 25 kilometers an hour. But it is certainly not as fast as most main battle tanks. For this weakness it compensates with a massive main armament and the thickest frontal armor on any NPS AFV to date.

“Kotesh”, an ancient Nachmerian word translating roughly as “Pulverizer”, was elected by NPS to name the vehicle. The name describes the tactical use of the HTD180 well. This is not a tank for quick maneuver operations or exploitations. The HTD180 is best used on dynamic defense and to lead attacks against heavily fortified lines. The length of the main gun makes fire on the move at speed very difficult, but from fixed positions or at a slow driving speed the 180mm can unleash absolute destruction at AFVs, fortifications and infantry.

Armament

The main armament for the HTD180 is the NC180T180mm L50 smooth bore gun. Fed Liquid propellant from protected storage in the lower parts of the vehicle, the mighty gun is fed projectiles separately by an autoloader. Possible ammunition includes Rocket Assisted APFSDS-DU, APFSDS-DU, FS-HEAT, FS-HEP, FS-WP, and FS-APAM, as well as the “Hunter” GLATGM. The gun is capable of 36MJ with APFSDS rounds, giving it the ability to penetrate virtually any tank in contact ranges.

Main features of the 180mm gun include:A) 900 centimeter long, smooth bore, titanium barrel. A bore gas evacuator is located 2/3 of the way from the muzzle to the chamber. A tritium nighttime rough sight is built into the tip of the barrel. The bore is covered with a combined thermal sleeve/vibration absorber. This device works by changing the way the thermal sleeve is installed on the gun. Rather than being fixed to the barrel as in standard guns, the forward part of the thermal sleeve is fixed to the gas evacuator conventionally and to the end of the barrel using a system of springs. This allows the thermal sleeve to pivot slightly. Energy from the vibration of the gun when traveling over rough terrain is transferred to the springs, and is partly dissipated in friction and partly re-transferred to the gun in a way that significantly lowers its effect. The vibration absorber improves accuracy and the life-span of the gun barrel. The average life expectancy for the barrel is 230 rounds.

B) Liquid Propellant based chamber: The chamber of the gun works by using a rather standard auto-loading system for the projectiles coupled to an uncommon loading method for the propellant and an Electro-thermal Chemical ignition. The projectiles are loaded into the combustion chamber using an automated loading system (described below). The liquid propellant, a mixture of Hydroxyl ammonium nitrate (HAN) and water, is pumped into a separate chamber connected to the chamber in which the projectile is loaded. The propellant chamber has a perforated piston. Before around is loaded propellant is pumped into the propellant chamber behind the piston head, while a small amount is pumped into the combustion chamber. This is ignited by an ETC igniter. The force of combustion pushes back the piston and it moves backwards, causing the propellant behind the piston head to flow through the perforations in the piston head. The liquid propellant is pressurized and atomized by this process and then ignited when reaching the combustion chamber. If there is a need to change ammo type or simply unload the gun, the pumps pump the HAN out of the chambers and use it for the next loading. This process while complex gives a regulated and even pressure curve in the chamber, and contributes to accuracy and muzzle velocity.

C) Auto loader system. Ammunition for the gun is stored in two storages. The first is located in the turret bustle and holds 20 rounds; the second is located in the rear right part of the hull and holds 10 projectiles. The ability to carry 30 rounds was achieved by the use of liquid propellant. This allows storage of propellant in tanks similar to the ones holding diesel fuel. These tanks partly use areas of the hull not used for any purpose in most tanks, as well as making better use of the room available. In addition the projectiles are shorter in length than conventional 180mm rounds, allowing stocking them in 2 rows in the storage units. Each round is located in a cylindrical canister made of fire resistant polymers. The canisters are placed on a close loop chain which is motorized. The entire chain system is located outside the fighting compartment with blow off panels to direct a possible ammunition explosion away from the crew. When an ammo type is selected by the gunner the chain moves a canister holding the correct projectile to a port. The port opens and a rammer pushes the projectile into the breach (which is automatically opened). When the first 20 rounds of ammunition are spent the tank commander must manually reload the turret ammo storage.

Coaxial armament for the HTD180 consists of a 30mm automatic cannon, a 15mm heavy machine gun, and a 7.62 machine gun.

The NCA30T is a chain fed, electrically operated automatic cannon. The autocannon is mounted to the left of the main gun, and fires 30X173mm HEI and APFSDS-DU rounds. Being an electrically cycled weapon, the rate of fire is easily controlled, and in the HTD180 it is possible to fire the cannon in two modes: 300 rounds per minute or single round. The 30mm allows the engagement of medium AFVs at ranges of up to 2,500 meters, conserving main gun ammunition for tougher targets. 300 rounds of ammunition are fed to the cannon from a chain located in a flame resistant storage unit under the main gun.

The Model 50, 15X75mm CTA, heavy machine gun is mounted above the main gun outside the turret. The mount is electrical allowing the gunner to fire the weapon from the standard gunner’s control. The Model 50 has a maximum rate of fire of 650 rounds per minute, and a sustained rate of fire of 35 rounds per minute. The controls in the HTD180 allow either single round or full automatic fire. The 15mm is capable of engaging lightly armed vehicles and heavily protected infantry at ranges of up to 2,500 meters with deadly precision.

The smallest coaxial weapon on the HTD180 is a M240 CPMG mounted to the right of the main gun. 2,000 ready to fire rounds of ammunition are carried for this weapon, with another 6,000 held in storage on the tank. The M240 offers high rates of fire to suppress infantry and destroy unarmed vehicles at medium ranges (up to 1000 meters). 2 spare barrels are located in a rack above the main gun to allow a quick change in battle.

The commander of the HTD180 has full control over the main and coaxial armaments of the tank. In addition he has two other weapon systems operated solely by him.

The Commanders 7.62mm machinegun is mounted in a fully stabilized weapon station (more details about this weapon station are specified under fire control and observation). The weapon station is integrated with the commanders day and night sights, and can traverse 360 degrees. The commander can operate the machinegun while completely buttoned or disable the electrical system and manually fire it when he is unbuttoned. The machinegun is fed from a 200 round belt in an attached compartment. The commanders MG is meant to engage infantry at short to medium ranges (0-500 meters). Should the crew be forced to dismount the commander can detach the M240 from the mount and use it on foot (infantry stock, bipod and ammunition drum are located in storage to the right of the commander).

In addition to the machinegun the commander also controls the 16 tube close range grenade system. The 80mm grenades launched by this system can engage infantry in close ranges (60 meters) and more importantly screen the tank against threats. The grenades are fired from a control panel in the commander’s compartment. Types of ammunition available for this system are White Phosphorus, HE-Fragmentation, IR-screening smoke, IR-Decoy, less than lethal tear gas and less than lethal “flash-bang”.

Fire control, Observation and Sensors

The fire control and sensory systems on the HTD180 are largely based on ones used in previous NPS AFVs, namely the MBT142. Having said that, the fire control has been improved and integrate with the BASTION Battle Management System, and the edition of the “Evil Eye” system greatly improves target recognition and engagement speed.

The gunner’s sight is a TV type observation system, with day and night capabilities. The sight is digitally connected to the main gun, and stabilized in 2 axes. The system has X1, X3 and X10 magnification in both day and night modes. The sight itself is raised to minimize the exposure of the tank in fire positions. The image from the sight is displayed on a 10” LCD screen making targeting and scanning easier and less strenuous. When in X1 magnification the reticule changes from a standard NATO cross to a circle similar to some small arms reflex sights, allowing easier aiming at close range targets. For the first time in an NPS AFV, data from the BASTION system (described in detail below) is incorporated into the gunner’s sight. The BASTION data that can be chosen to appear in the gunner’s sight includes hostile and friendly forces location, terrain information, and battle plan information. Data is super impose over the image, allowing the gunner to recognize hostile and friendly forces quickly, be aware of restricted fire zones, and generally raise the gunner’s situational awareness.

Two Nachmerian MBT142 and a Nachmerian outpost throught the sights of a HTD180, note BASTION information tags on the tanks and outpost:

The CITV (Commander’s Independent Thermal Viewer) is integrated with a weapon station holding the 12.7mm machinegun. As a result the CITV has two modes of operation. In the first mode the CITV acts as a separate, fully stabilized day and night sight for the main and coaxial weapons, allowing the commander to “slave” the gunner controls to identify targets or fire. In this mode the CITV allows the commander to identify, select, and range targets before even the top of the turret is exposed, and while remaining buttoned. The very high position of the commander’s sight means that the tank can fire GLATGM without a LOS from the gun to the target. In The second mode the CITV acts as a fully stabilized day and night sight for the 7.62mm weapon station. In both modes the CITV allows for all the features of the FCS. Magnification modes in CITV are X1.5 and X8. As with the gunners sight, the CITV screen can now display BASTIOB data super imposed on the image.

”Evil Eye”-Laser Retro-Reflection Sensor and Thermal Imaging Device. Located in a 360 degrees rotating mast, this system uses a coded eye-safe laser beam to constantly scan the battlefield for reflections off optical sights. The Thermal Imaging device is than focused on the target and compares it to preexisting thermal images. In this method the “Evil Eye” now has a range, azimuth and probable identification of a threat. This data is than sent to the main CPU to be compared with other data (know locations of friendly forces, identifications form other vehicles, etc.). The location and identity of new targets is displayed through BASTION, and also shared with the “Iron Tide” APS. The system greatly increases detection of threats and targets, especially ATGM launchers carried by infantry. The driver of the HTD180 uses three observation periscopes for daytime driving, with the middle periscope being replaced by a DTV (Driver’s Thermal Viewer) for night time operations. The periscopes provide 120°field of view. To allow quick and safe reverse travel, a camera is installed in the rear of the hall with day time and thermal modes. The image from the camera is displayed on the driver’s LCD screen.

The turret has full electric stabilization and electric-powered controls. The gun is stabilized by digital gyroscope system in both axes. A manual traverse system is installed as a backup. The fire control computer automatically calculates the fire solution based on: lead angle measurement; bend of the gun measured by the muzzle reference system; velocity measurement from a wind sensor on the roof of the turret; data from a pendulum static cant sensor located at the centre of the turret roof; temperature, and barometric pressure from a sensor on the turret roof.

Solutions to moving targets or to fire-on-the-move are given by measuring the traverse speed of the turret while tracking the target. The system is capable of “pixel-locking”, a mode in which a moving target is “locked” on to by the system and the gun automatically tracks it and adds a lead. A new feature in the HTD180, compared with previous NPS tanks, is auto-lock. Using data from “Evil-Eye”, the gun can be automatically directed towards a target at a push of a single button. This works quite easily by the gun being “slaved” to the “Evil Eye”, and the image and data from the gunner’s sight compared to the target compared to the “Evil Eye” and the gun is brought to aim on the target automatically.

Protection:

The HTD180 is a heavily protected vehicle, gaining its superior protection not by new technology (as the armor types are identical to former NPS designs), but by sheer mass and thought out armor layout. The primary armor protection of the HTD180 is based on “Rhinoskin” passive armor. Used in previous NPS systems such as the MBT142, “Rhinoskin” is a 3 layered composite armor. The most exterior one is a titanium matrix encasing tiles of silicon carbide. The middle layer is made of two layers of titanium alloy shell encasing a layer of Depleted Uranium mesh. The first and second layers are spaced from each other to increase protection without adding weight. The most inner layer is the back plate to the entire system and is made of un-perforated titanium. “Rhinoskin”, with varying thickness of the matrix layer, protects the entire hull and turret, aside from the turret top. The turret top is protected by spaced titanium armor.

To compliment the passive protection given by “Rhinoskin” the HTD180 is also protected by Heavy Reactive Armor (HERA). The HERA type named “Umbrella” is a rather conventional system. The blocks of armor are constructed of a 25mm thick back plate, a 30mm layer of semtex explosives, and a 20 mm frontal plate. The HERA not only has a massive effect on HEAT penetrators, but it also has a significant effect on KE penetrators. “Umbrella” covers 85% of the front surface of the HTD180, and 70% of the turret side surface.

Some areas of the tank cannot be protected by the “Umbrella” HERA. This is due to the explosive nature of HERA, which may at some instances cause fragmentation that may harm personnel and sensors. For areas like the rear hull, side skirts, turret top and rear, a less dangerous protection method was selected. This method is Self Limiting Explosive Reactive Armor (SLERA). HTD180 uses a SLERA system named “Raincoat”. Each block is constructed of a 20mm thick titanium back plate, a 30mm layer of the “Raincoat” compound, and a 10mm frontal plate. The “Raincoat” compound is made of 55% reduced sensitivity RDX, 25% ATH fire retardant, and 20% PDMS binder. When hit the “Raincoat” compound reacts with a slower rate of burning (compared to HERA), and quickly extinguishes itself. It is more effective than NERA blocks at stopping HEAT rounds but is no more dangerous to personal or equipment.

In addition to the passive and reactive protection suites, the HTD180 is also protected by the “Iron Tide” APS. “Iron Tide” is similar in some ways to the “Ironclad” system used on NPS vehicles to date, but has several improvements. Unlike its predecessor, the system does not use quick launch projectiles as its hard kill option, but has up to (in the HTD180) 4 twin barreled projectile launchers in traversing mounts. In addition the system retained the soft kill measures of its predecessor to provide a 360 degree hard/soft kill protection against KE and CE threats.

System components:1)Main Processing Unit: a high speed compact processing unit with a 3 GHz clock rate. The processor uses a stripped down fast version of a common commercial operating system. The other software installed on it is the “Iron Tide” system. This allows the tracking, classification and engagement of threats detected by the system sensors. The software can use the data from the radar to identify threats and choose which threats to engage and which threats not to engage. It also chooses what counter measure to use against a threat. The processing unit is linked to the BASTION system, allowing one “Iron Tide” unit to network with others. This allows the systems to “warn” each other of threats, protect vehicles that have no loaded countermeasures, and use group smoke screening to protect the entire unit.2)F/G band radar. Consisting of 5 flat panel antennas around the turret (one directed upwards to identify top-attack threats), the radar is used to identify incoming threats and classify them. Threats are identified and classified in a 360 degrees arc around the protected vehicle, and the information is sent to the APS computer.3)4 IR sensors located on the turret sides. These sensors are used to identify incoming projectiles by the thermal signature of their propulsion systems or the projectile itself. The IR data is sent to the APS computer where it is compared to the radar data. The use of IR sensors lowers the chance of the APS being defeated by jammers and low cross section projectiles. 4)A 360 degrees laser warning system. This comprises of 4-8 laser/active IR sensors which identify laser designators and range finders being aimed at the AFV. The data is used to alert the team and give the system a “heads up” on what type of threats are about to engage it.5)4 twin-barreled automatically reloading, fully stabilized, 360 rotating launchers. The launchers fire fin stabilized 80mm projectiles. The projectiles are combustible and create almost no shrapnel. Exploding less than 1 meter from the threat, the projectile causes it to destabilize and either fall apart in the air or go off target. This method is effective against both CE threats and KE threats. The hard kill system can engage both CE threats such as HEAT rounds and ATGMs, and KE threats such as long rod penetrators. 36 projectiles are carried in the auto-reload magazines of the system. 6)80mm grenade launchers armed with IR-decoys and infra red screening smoke grenades. The 15X20 meter smoke cloud resulting from the grenade is impenetrable to most thermal targeting systems. The IR- decoy grenade generates a massive heat signature 20 meters away from the tank and is also useful at causing missiles to miss. The “Iron Tide” system is connected to the turret traverse system and can traverse the turret to fire grenades if needed (requiring only a confirmation from the tank commander). 7)Radio Frequency Jammer. Like many other active protection systems “Iron Tide” has a high output radio jamming device. The jammer operates in frequencies used by radio guided munitions. The jamming system is programmed to give false guidance orders to hundreds of different radio guided munitions. If the system encounters a monition which it cannot mislead, it simply blocks the radio frequency preventing the threat from receiving guidance orders. Laser and Infra Red jammer. “Iron Tide” is equipped with a laser and IR jamming system. The system, similar to the RF jammer, works either by directing false guidance data at the incoming threat or by blinding it completely. The laser and IR system is located in a 360 degrees rotating copula. Commanders control panel- the entire system is controlled through a LCD panel in the commander’s compartment. This panel allows him to select modes of operation, turn different subsystems on and off, confirm turret rotation and decoy launch etc.

Operation: The fire control radar, located on top of the turret, identifies incoming rockets and missiles. The radar data is transmitted to the processing unit. The processing unit ignores birds, small weapons fire and threats that are not bound for the protected vehicle. When a threat is identified the possessing unit selects the optimal method of engaging it. The system makes this decision based on the threat itself (guidance type, size, speed, etc.), the vehicles status (amount and type of remaining countermeasures, vehicles motion, etc), and the units status (other vehicles being more vulnerable, infantry being near the vehicle, etc). The system than engages the threat with the chosen countermeasure. The system prefers soft-kill options, but if the threat survives them the system automatically uses the hard kill choice.

NBC protection for the HTD180 is provided by an overpressure system and individual NBC protection for each crew member. The individual protection is in the form of 3 air filtering systems running directly to the masks and NBC overalls of the crew. The air is not only filtered but also cooled. If this system fails the tank can use the over pressure system along with standard gas masks. The tank is buttoned and an overpressure is created by pumping air into the tank through filters. This keeps contaminated air out and when combined with the use of personal masks allows continued operations in contaminated areas.

Crew and vehicle survivability

The HTD180 has Kevlar lining in the crew compartments to minimize spalling. The front mounted engine layout of the tank allows for a rear exit hatch with a corridor leading to it from the turret. The rear exit hatch is a clamshell design and can be opened electrically or manually. The crew can use to dismount while protected by the tanks mass. It also allows them to mount the tank without climbing to the turret and exposing themselves.

A fire suppression system is installed in the fighting compartment, engine compartment and both ammo storage units. The system has 7 visual and thermal fire detectors and 7 BCF canisters. The canisters are located in the turret (2), driver compartment (1) engine compartment (2) and ammo storage units (2). The entire system is controlled from the gunner’s compartment, with the engine canisters also being operated from the driver’s compartment. Diesel fuel for the engine is stored in 5 tanks in the front and back of the tank, with cutoff valves allowing the use of each tank separately. HAN propellant for the main gun is stored in a series of small tanks separated by fire resistant barriers. The tanks are located at the bottom of the hull and have blowout panels facing the floor. The 2 main gun ammunition storage units are separated from the turret by massive titanium barriers, with a port closing and opening to allow projectiles into the turret when loading. Each 180mm projectile is held in a flame resistant polymer cylinder. Storage of the 30mm ammunition, 80mm grenade ammunition and “Iron Tide” projectiles is also in a flame resistant polymer compartments. Each of these compartments has blowout panels to direct possible explosion energy away from the crew.

A V-shaped mine-protection plate made of titanium is available for the HTD180. This plate weighs several tons and reduces the ground clearance to 28cm, but it dramatically improves the survivability of the tank and crew in case of a large explosion under the hull. The crew seats are all of the suspended type, to protect the crew from explosions under the tank.

Mobility

The HTD180 is the heaviest AFV developed by NPS to date. To maintain sufficient mobility it was obvious that the current line of NPS engines will not be adequate. Nachmere Mountain Motors, a company that has worked with NPS on light AFVs, offered to produce an opposed piston engine to solve the issue. With opposing piston engines offering better power to weight and power to volume ratios, it seems that the transition was long overdue. Injection system is based on pre-combustion chambers, allowing multi-fuel use. Cooling is provided by a pressurized close circuit cooling system. Twin turbochargers are installed to maximize performance. A filtering system is installed to allow operations in fine-dust conditions. The engine has a preheating system for the oil and can operate at temperatures of -46C to +52C. The engine produces 2800bhp at 3000rpm.

Coupled to the engine is a semi-automatic hydro-mechanical transmission with 5 forward gears, 2 reverse gears, neutral gear and pivot. Mechanical brakes are built on to the output shafts, which are transverse to the input. Propulsion drive is via a torque converter with lock up clutch, shifting and reversing gear to be shifted under load with planetary gear sets, multidisc brakes and clutches. Steering drive is infinitely variable by a hydrostatic-hydrodynamic superimposed steering system. The transmission brake is a combined hydrodynamic-mechanical brake system as service brake, without parking and auxiliary brakes.

As with the engine, the massive weight of the vehicle required a new suspension system as well. All previous NPS tanks had a helical spring suspension with hydraulic or pneumatic dampers. The HDT180 is simply too heavy for helical springs to give ride comfort and reliability. NPS turned to the InArm suspension system developed by Horstman. The system incorporates dual piston compressible struts into the suspension arms. The system also has a central control to adjust the amount of fluid in each InArm unit. The hydraulic units act both as springs and dampers, and the system also allows the driver to lower and raise the ground clearance given by each arm. In total there are 8 pairs of road wheels on each side of the HTD180s suspension, with 3 return rollers. The tracks are 715mm wide and do not have rubber soles.

Communications and Networking

The HTD180 has a standard NPS combined internal/external communications system. The system comprises of a main control panel and 4 personal control panels (each crewman and one in the rear corridor), as well as 4 headsets integrated into the ballistic helmets of the crew. The main control panel is located in the commander’s compartment and allows him to select listening and broadcasting frequencies for himself and the crew, select which crewmembers can hear him and be heard by him, and which crewmembers can listen and broadcast to external radio. The individual control panels allow each crew member to switch select listening frequencies and select which crew members he can hear. The commander’s panel also allows for remotely changing the frequency in the receivers and transmitters. The PTT integrated into the helmet has three modes- internal, external, and quiet. The system has a separate tank commander to driver channel using the most protected battery for power to ensure commander-driver communications. The system also has a wireless ability, which switches on automatically when a helmet is disconnected. This prevents crew members from accidently disconnecting and allows for quick dismount.

The HTD180 can accommodate 2-3 transmitter-receivers and 2-3 receivers. The antenna bases are integral and allow lowering the antennas forwards and backwards from inside the tank. A storage compartment for a man portable radio is located near the rear exit hatch. A radio-silence communications system to replace flags, comprising of two IR and regular lights on each side of the turret, allows for minimum use of radio by lower level commanders. The HTD180 is equipped with a tank/infantry telephone located at the rear of the vehicle and connected to the commander’s internal communications, as well as external communications to allow infantry to use the tank radio if needed.

Networking for the HTD180 is provided by the BASTION system. BASTION is a battlefield management system for units ranging in size from platoons to brigades. BASTION mostly relies on the existing sensors a platform already has. This includes laser range finders, RADARs, observation systems, fire control components, meteorological sensors, and other sensors. It also uses GPS (either installed with BASTION or existing). Combining information from these sensors allows the system to display and network accurate real-time information not only of friendly forces, but also of hostile forces, terrain conditions and more.

BASTION can rely on several communication mediums. It can use standard military radio networks, military cellular networks, or satellite communications. It can also combine all three. According to the type of medium used, range varies from a few kilometers to thousands of kilometers. Networking is done by an IP protocol. Each unit sends and receives information to and from all units within reception range and operating on the correct frequencies. This information is than sorted by the system, to prevent flooding the user with un-needed information. This sorting is done by both the sender and recipient, meaning he user can choose who will see his sent data and who’s sent data he receives.

The information gathered by the BASTION main processor is displayed on one or more LCD displays in the vehicle. The LCD screens are mil-spec and have control buttons on the sides.

The system has 4 windows used for work before, during, and after operations:

*Battle Planning and orders: Allows for creating, sharing and viewing complete operational plans, with attached maps, orders, and ORBATS. It allows for viewing the battle image over code-maps, satellite images, or 3D terrain visualizations. The user can also calculate point-to-point distances, lines-of-sight, and radio reception areas.*Battle Management: This is the main window, which is used during operations. It allows for viewing the battle image over code-maps, satellite images, or 3D terrain visualizations. The user can see the location of friendly forces and known hostile forces. The user can also update known enemy forces. This is done by taking a range reading to the enemy, and then adding further information manually (or using the “Evil Eye” identification system). Artillery can be laid using a special artillery tab, which sends the artillery request to a predefined user. The user can also calculate point-to-point distances, and lines-of-sight. Information added here by the user is automatically shared with other units. *Information Sharing: This window is used to send specific data that is not automatically sent by the system. This includes text massages, images and videos, and logistic reports. Videos and still images are captured by the AFVs existing systems. Text massaging allows free texting as well as predefined default massages. This system allows upper echelons to view the battle from the perspective of a specific tank, and also reduces the use of radio by lower tactical levels. *Internal Status: The window is used for updating the status of the specific unit carrying the BASTION. It allows updating ammunition and fuel shortages, mechanical problems, casualties, etc. This information is only sent when the user chooses to (manually or in predefined intervals).

Crew Amenities

The HTD180 is equipped to support its crew in long term operations during fighting and when buttoned. A specially designed sun and rain plastic canopy can be raised above the commander hatch to ease waiting periods in harsh weather. An air-conditioning system is connected to the NBC protection system and can flow warm or cool air into the overalls and NBC masks of the crew. A 50 liter NBC protected water tank located in the rear hull is connected to a heating/cooling unit and supplies hot/cold water thorough a tap in the rear corridor. Rations are kept in water tight compartments in the fighting compartment itself as well as in the rear corridor. 7 days worth of rations can be carried in this way. The tank has a special storage compartment holding an electric cooking pen, an electric kettle, an electric cigarette lighter, plates and utensils. The two Auxiliary Power Units can be used as field generators for camp use if needed.

This is the Heavy Tank Of Choice of the Allanean Ground Forces.

OOC: THis design has been contributed to this storefront by Nachmere, and is here with his permission.

Last edited by Allanea on Sat Jul 19, 2014 3:23 am, edited 1 time in total.

Allanean Arms Corporation is pleased to report that it has signed a world-shattering deal with the Grand Theocracy of the Holy Marsh, home of the famous Marshite Tigers. Because in the Grand Theocracy, private vehicles are not sold in the free market by competing companies, but rather mass-purchased by the state for its citizens, the Grand Theocracy had decided to standardize, and purchase the Allanean Arms Streetwyze mini-SUV as the standard private car for use by Marshite citizens. For this purpose, the Grand Theocracy has decided to purchase 500 million of the Streetwyze a year. After 21 years, when enough Streetwyzes have been purchased for every citizen, purchases will continue to replace beater vehicles.

Kevin Nivensky, wealthiest man in Allanea and majority shareholder of Allanean Arms Corporation, has given a speech at the contract signing ceremony. He has said, in part: “This is to be understood as a fucking mindblowing deal. It will allow us to expand our Alserta Automobile Factory in Holy Marsh, as well as our manufacturing capacity in Allanea proper. It will strengthen both Allanean Arms and Allanea proper. I am proud to be signing this deal today.”

Alexander Blaken-Kazansky, President-for-Life, Emperor of Greater Prussia and second-largest shareholder of Allanean Arms (holding 12.5% of its stock since the company’s inception) has congratulated the Nivensky family with the company’s success.

In related news, it has been made known that Dennis Wise, the head designer behind the Streetwyze, has received an enormous bonus after the deal, rumored to be several dozen billion in size. He has said this to the media: “I believe it is time for me to get a palace. Or two.It will have an Olympic Swimming Pool. Full of cocaine, naturally. Gods Bless Allanea and free enterprise!”

Discuss this ArticleJump to discussion page:1 2 3 ... 13

KevinsGurl

Kevin Nivensky’s creative genius triumphs again! I want to have his babies!

5 hours agoLikes 458▲

Libertarian4SRS

Why is selling cars to a Communist entity a triumph of free enterprise?

4 hours agoLikes 158▲

OmNomMonster

Because it shows that communism is bollocks?

3 hours agoLikes 103▲

Last edited by Allanea on Sat Jul 19, 2014 8:50 am, edited 1 time in total.